"One of the things we do is before our sessions, we go around and get everyone to tell the group their name and preferred pronouns – we want to set the standard from the beginning, so everyone knows we are taking their well-being seriously and this is a club where you are safe and respected."
Changing the structure of sessions in this relatively small way can have a colossal impact, not only demonstrating to current participants that this is a safe space built on respect for one another, but also setting a strong foundation for welcoming and including newcomers.
Where unconscious bias and discrimination can be rife in sport, the Duty to Care Hub can help you test your knowledge and learn more about how you can deliver the best care to participants and support and boost diversity within sport and physical activity.
"What we do covers all aspects of care – it’s really important to be first aid trained for example, where the safety of our players is always protected. Our priority is to create an inclusive and fun space where anyone can play football."
A coach’s Duty to Care doesn’t end with the participants: coaches need to support themselves as well.